Lopetegui also has the task of calming tensions around the squad in the wake of Gerard Pique’s statement that he will retire from international football if Lopetegui or the Spanish Football Federation deem his defence of an independence referendum for Catalonia problematic.

Lopetegui also has the task of calming tensions around the squad in the wake of Gerard Pique’s statement that he will retire from international football if Lopetegui or the Spanish Football Federation deem his defence of an independence referendum for Catalonia problematic.

Madrid (AFP) – Diego Costa and Pedro Rodriguez were rewarded for Chelsea’s march towards the Premier League title on Friday with a recall to Julien Lopetegui’s Spain squad for a World Cup qualifier against Israel and a friendly against France.

However, there is no place for their Chelsea teammate Cesc Fabregas, whilst Juan Mata also misses out despite securing Manchester United’s place in the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday.

Madrid (AFP) – Diego Costa and Pedro Rodriguez were rewarded for Chelsea’s march towards the Premier League title on Friday with a recall to Julien Lopetegui’s Spain squad for a World Cup qualifier against Israel and a friendly against France.

However, there is no place for their Chelsea teammate Cesc Fabregas, whilst Juan Mata also misses out despite securing Manchester United’s place in the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday.

Madrid (AFP) Faint hopes Spain's spectacular fall from grace at the 2014 World Cup was a mere blip were extinguished as another early exit at Euro 2016 finally ended Vicente del Bosque's eight-year reign as coach.

Julien Lopetegui is the man charged with restoring Spain's former glories, but he faces a demanding task in just getting La Roja to Russia in two years' time with Euros' conquerors Italy lying in wait in qualifying.

Madrid (AFP) Faint hopes Spain's spectacular fall from grace at the 2014 World Cup was a mere blip were extinguished as another early exit at Euro 2016 finally ended Vicente del Bosque's eight-year reign as coach.

Julien Lopetegui is the man charged with restoring Spain's former glories, but he faces a demanding task in just getting La Roja to Russia in two years' time with Euros' conquerors Italy lying in wait in qualifying.